Early voting has begun; it's not too late to request absentee ballots

by Mike West

Vote by Mail and Early Voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections for the March 6 Primary Election opened Jan. 31. The Board of Elections has begun mailing ballots to voters who submitted Vote by Mail ballot applications and early voting began at the Board of Elections on Jan. 31.

The Board of Elections will not automatically mail ballot applications to voters for this election. Voters must request a ballot application if they wish to Vote by Mail.

To request a ballot application visit: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us or call 216-443-3298. Vote by Mail ballot applications are also available at all public libraries. Hand-delivered ballot applications must be returned by 6:00 p.m. on March 2. Ballot applications that are returned by mail must be received by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on or before noon on March 3. The voter registration and change of address deadline for the March 6 Primary Election has passed.

“We are encouraging voters to continue to take advantage of the convenience of voting by mail,” said Jane Platten, Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. During the last Presidential Primary Election one of the worst ice storms in history slammed the area with snow, sleet and freezing rain. “Vote by Mail allows voters to cast their ballots from the warmth and comfort of their homes and they don’t have to worry about weather or lines at the polls,” said Platten. Voting by mail also gives voters extra time to study the candidates and issues.

The Board of Elections is open for early voting between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Board of Elections is located at 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. Voters can vote early through March 2. The Board will also be open for Early Voting on the following weekends:

Voters may call 216-443-3298 with Vote by Mail and registration questions. For additional information concerning the March 6 Primary Election, visit the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us.

Mike West

Media and Voter Education Specialist Cuyahoga County Board of Elections